Walt Whitman was a 19th-century American poet whose work—which often portrayed common workers, urban life, and high-minded national ideals—helped define American literature.
Hours of research by our editors, distilled into minutes of clarity.
The 19th-century poet is considered one of the most important voices in the American canon. His collection “Leaves of Grass,” in particular, is regarded as a foundational text and is widely taught in American high schools and colleges.
Whitman was a groundbreaking force in American literature, legitimizing the national idiom, capturing the spirit of the evolving country, and inspiring younger generations of writers for centuries to follow.
The resource allows you to explore over 100 of Whitman’s essential works, from the iconic “Leaves of Grass” through poems you’ll recognize from pop culture, like “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” and “O Captain! My Captain!”
Free verse is a style of poetry that does not conform to any set meter or rhyme scheme. In essence, it’s poetry whose form has been created by the poet.
Whitman's collection was banned numerous times in various cities through the 1800s; in Boston, the district attorney even threatened Whitman’s publisher with criminal prosecution.
Emerson famously praised the first edition of Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass,” which Whitman used to promote the collection. In doing so, Whitman effectively created the modern book blurb, though he did so without Emerson’s permission, leading to a prolonged, passive beef between the two.
Whitman first published his seminal poetry collection “Leaves of Grass” in 1855, but he continued revising it until he died in 1892, publishing six different versions during his lifetime.
In this 1992 appearance on “Charlie Rose,” Beat Generation icon Ginsberg articulates why Whitman mattered not only to the Beats but to all of poetry, arguing that he forever changed the possibilities of the form.
Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” is over 170 years old, but many say its poems are as relevant as ever. This podcast unpacks how Whitman constructed a dynamic, original text that would transcend his time and inspire generations of poets.
The poet's family was poor and moved several times during his childhood. At 11, his father removed Whitman from school so he could work to support the family.
Art, music, sports, entertainment, movies, and many other subjects—these elements define who we are as a society and how we express ourselves as a culture. Take a deep dive into the topics shaping our shared norms, values, institutions, and more.